Motorcyclists often suffer serious injuries in collisions. Because motorcycle riders have very little to protect them, aside from their helmets, the potential for harm in a motorcycle accident is high. If you were injured in a crash, an experienced Santa Monica motorcycle accident attorney may be able to help you recover the money you need.
At the Simmrin Law Group, we know how overwhelming it can be to attempt to recover compensation while dealing with injury. Fortunately, our experienced team of Santa Monica personal injury lawyers can handle every aspect of your legal case while you focus on your health. Get in touch today to schedule a free case evaluation with a member of our legal team.
Be Careful When Speaking With an Insurance Representative Following a Motorcycle Accident
After suffering damages in a motorcycle accident, you must be careful to tread lightly in your interactions with insurers. Insurance companies will employ a wide variety of tricks in an attempt to deny or devalue your claim, and a single mistake on your part can destroy your chances of recovering the money you need.
Insurance adjusters have years of experience manipulating accident victims out of the money they are entitled to recover. Because of this, the best method for protecting yourself is declining to speak to an insurance representative until you have secured the services of an experienced lawyer.
Once you have retained legal counsel, the insurance company will have to direct all communication through your lawyer. By placing your attorney between the insurer and yourself, you will be protected from the tricks they would otherwise employ, and your chances of recovering the money you need will improve significantly.
An Experienced Santa Monica Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help You Recover Damages
After suffering serious injuries in a motorcycle accident, you will likely be able to pursue a variety of damages. To recover the full value of your claim, it is imperative that you identify all the damages you qualify to collect. Unfortunately, this may be easier said than done as several factors need to be taken into consideration.
The good news is that you don’t have to go through this process alone. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney serving Santa Monica can help you determine which damages apply to your case.
Once they have identified all the damages you can collect, your lawyer will be able to take the necessary steps to ensure a large out-of-court settlement or court-ordered payout.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are used to replace the financial losses you suffer as a result of your accident. Ideally, these damages should cover your losses dollar for dollar. Economic damages can be awarded both for money you have already lost as well as the money you will likely lose in the future because of your accident.
The most commonly awarded economic damages following a motorcycle accident include:
- Property damage
- Lost income
- Diminished earning potential
- Medical costs
- Future medical bills
Non-Economic Damages
All the other losses resulting from your motorcycle accident belong in the broad category of non-economic damages. Because this category is focused on personal losses rather than financial losses, placing a dollar figure on non-economic damages tends to be challenging.
While guidelines have been established to help create a framework for determining how much money to award for non-economic damages, there are still many variables that can come into play. Ultimately, the court decides how much to award in a payout on a case-by-case basis. The most commonly awarded non-economic damages following a motorcycle accident include:
- Decreased quality of life
- Mental anguish
- Permanent disability
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of companionship
Punitive Damages
In a small percentage of motorcycle accident cases, punitive damages may also be awarded. Punitive damages are reserved for extreme cases involving intentional harm or criminal negligence.
Unlike compensatory damages, punitive damages are not used as a means of replacing the losses incurred by accident victims. Instead, the purpose of these damages is to punish the at-fault party and prevent similar behavior in the future.
Taking a Settlement Deal Vs. Going to Court
It’s important to understand the pros and cons of settling your case out of court when presented with a settlement offer. While you should never take the first settlement offer you receive, ultimately, you will likely choose to settle after negotiations as it will probably be in your best interest to do so.
By setting out of court, you can recover compensation far more quickly and put this difficult period behind you. You also need to understand that a jury trial can be unpredictable, and even if your case seems airtight, you may lose and recover nothing. While an experienced attorney can improve your chances of success, there are no guarantees in the courtroom.
Because settling is also usually the best path forward for the defendant, most cases never go to trial. However, it is still important that you prepare your case for court. There is always the possibility that you will be unable to come to terms on a settlement deal. In addition, being ready for trial will give you more leverage during settlement negotiations.
Reach Out to an Experienced Santa Monica Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
Following a motorcycle collision that results in severe injuries, the best thing you can do is to hire an experienced motorcycle accident attorney in Santa Monica. Having experienced legal representation will significantly improve your chances of recovering the money you need.
At the Simmrin Law Group, we will dedicate all our resources to ensuring the best possible outcome for your case. Contact us by completing the contact form on this website or by giving us a call and schedule your free initial case review.